MISSED THE PARADE?

Charter Cable Channel 3 will rebroadcast the Belmont Shore Christmas Parade starting at 5 p.m. today and every Sunday through December. It will also be free on Video on Demand later next week and on StraightTalkTV.com for those who don’t have cable.

UPCOMING L.B. PARADES

Dec. 8 – Daisy Avenue Christmas Tree Lane and Parade, a tradition since 1953, kicks off at 5 p.m. Best parade viewing is on Daisy Avenue between Pacific Coast Highway and Hill Street.

Dec. 15 – Naples Island Christmas Boat Parade, an annual tradition, takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. through the canals of Naples. This year’s theme is “Through a Child’s Eyes.”

LONG BEACH – The weather outside was frightful, but that didn’t keep anyone indoors.

Thousands packed Second Street in the Belmont Shore for the 25th Annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, watching marching bands, floats, dogs and city officials roll by to the theme of “Dog Days of Christmas.”

Adam Mirkovich and his wife Kelly tried to stay warm on the chilly night, bundling up in a checkered blanket, as they waited for the parade.

The couple said they just moved to Long Beach from Orange County and were eager to see the parade for the first time.

“I just love how excited everybody is. There’s a feeling of a small town, with everybody out, kids playing in the streets,” Kelly said.

The parade started promptly at 6 p.m., with all types of dogs leading the way, but parade-goers began lining the sidewalks with lawnchairs hours earlier.

Cristan Hoff, a sophomore from Lakewood High School, said her 10 family members had been sitting in their chairs since 2:30 p.m.

Hoff, who is a cheerleader at Lakewood High School, stood shivering in her cheerleading uniform with her squad.

“I’m excited but cold. It’s like Christmas a month early,” Hoff said.

“Right now I’m freezing, but once I’m walking, I forget about the cold,” said fellow cheerleader Kathryn Volk.

The parade’s theme gave dog lovers an opportunity to take part in the annual event.

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